Not content to watch David Attenborough’s new series Prehistoric Planet on my phone I headed out to the barn and began the mind numbing, hair pulling process of setting up Apple TV in the man cave. It took a while to make the connection as our internet service is sketchy at best… but oh, was it worth it.
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The colors, graphics and scenery in this show are stunning …
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And I happily settled in for hours of uninterrupted viewing.
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All Hail Sir David! The passion with which he narrates stirs my very soul. 96 years young and still finding wonder in the natural world. I love him.
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If you’re a dinosaur fan? You really need to watch this show.
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Yes, there are T Rex and Brontosaurs and Triceratops, but it’s the weird and wonderful little known dinos that will steal your heart.
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The giant reptiles really come to life.
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As does our Cretaceous world.
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At times it feels like a sci fi movie….
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And I was loving every minute of it.
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I zipped through part one..
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And was halfway through part two with a big smile on my face when it happened.
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Our *#%”ing internet connection broke and no matter how hard I tried or what I did I couldn’t get it back.
I’ve never understood why my calendar thinks the animals it features are sad. Weird and quirky beats cute and cuddly any day of the week in my book.
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Resting in clouds sounds pretty effing fabulous to me.
It’s the only bird that is known to intentionally enter into a cloud,” Weimerskirch says. And not just any cloud — a fluffy, white cumulus cloud. Over the ocean, these clouds tend to form in places where warm air rises from the sea surface. The birds hitch a ride on the updraft, all the way up to the top of the cloud.
A veritable frigate bird roller coaster.
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I’m giving this drawing an A- for likeness to the real thing.
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They’re a little off on the tail and overall color, but all things considered it’s pretty damn close.
Along one of the prettiest stretches of Maine coast.
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Many private homes line the Cliff Walk and while they all have stunning views, I can’t say I’d want a constant throng of tourists marching past my back door every day.
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A quick video to give you a feel for the place.
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When you near the end of the 1.25 mile stroll you enter Perkins Cove.
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Once a thriving artists colony…
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It now houses two waterfront restaurants and a large parking lot.
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We took advantage of the former, Jackie’s Too.
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Our table was perfect.
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The basil lemonade? To die for.
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Unfortunately the chowder was sub par. Creamy and clam filled, but completely bland and flavorless.
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Husband had tiny and completely over cooked soggy mussels while I fought my way through a husk filled Caesar salad with dried out grilled chicken. $112 later we vowed never to return… to eat. The bar had a great view and the cocktail was fabulous.
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Fueled up, we turned around and headed back to the Cliff Walk.
Living in the country probably gives me the advantage here, but you never know… some of you have backyard alligators and I can’t top that.
My list of chasers;
A chicken. Don’t laugh, they’re quick and vengeful little buggers.
A billy goat. I barely escaped with my posterior intact… although now that I think of it, a little less of that wouldn’t be a bad thing.
A skunk. Thankfully they don’t have very good eyesight … I lost him behind a shrub.
A mockingbird. Never underestimate the ferocity of this bird. He used to dive bomb our poor cat on a daily basis.
A snapping turtle. Granted I didn’t have to run very fast with this one, but those jaws can snap your finger like a twig.
A bat. Was he actually chasing me? I don’t know, but he was trapped in our house and I didn’t take the time to find out.
And finally, an elk who chased me around our car. I was photographing a herd in the Smoky Mountain National Park from a far off, safe distance when a lone female came up from behind and let her displeasure be known.
This is the quintessential Maine coastline for scenic photography….
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And selfies.
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It is also one seriously beautiful stroll.
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With lots of access points to the beach below.
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If you’re willing to take the risk.
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Did I mention there were rocks? Over a mile of glorious rock filled shore.
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And a few weirdos up on the trail.
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This is a wild beach rose, they’re everywhere along the Maine coast and the cliff walk is lined with them. It must be wonderful when they’re in full bloom, but we were a tad early and only saw a few here and there.
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I could have easily plopped myself down on one these benches and spent the entire day.
Hidden in the lilac bush, an annual spring visitor.
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The brightly colored Baltimore Oriole.
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I make sure to put out the special feeder containing orange halves and grape jelly when I spot my first flash of orange. Keep them happy and they’ll stay about a month before heading farther north.